Agenda and minutes

- to receive minutes

Resolved:-  (1)  That the minutes of the meeting of the Education of Looked After Children held on 19^th July, 2004 be received.

(2)  That the Acting Strategic Leader, Inclusion arrange an appropriate system by which Best Value Performance Indicators on this matter are referred to Cabinet Member, Education, Culture and Leisure Services.

- to receive minutes

Resolved:-  (1)  That the minutes of a meeting of the Christmas Carnival Co-ordinating Group held on 15^th July, 2004 be received.

(2)  That further information be sought on the most appropriate location for Santa’s Grotto.

- to receive minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the above Panel held on 6^th July 2004 be received.

- to inform of the forecast performance against 2004/05 budget based on performance to the end of June 2004

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Finance Officer on the forecast performance against 2004/05 Budget for the Education, Culture and Leisure Services Programme Area based on performance to the end of June 2004.

The report pointed out that the Programme Area is currently forecasting to spend to budget for the financial year.  However, some potential underlying pressures have been identified.

The Programme Area is currently forecasting a break-even position by March 2005, although this is subject to further investigation and evaluation of two potential pressures within Education Services.  These are:-

-           Education Transport

-           Human Resources – Services traded with Schools

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the action being taken to budget for the financial year noted.

(2)               That the Acting Strategic Leader, Inclusion submit a report to a future meeting on the current developments and progress regarding transport.

(3)  That the outcome of negotiations with RBT regarding the Human Resources – Services traded with Schools budget be brought to a future meeting.

- to consider minor changes to the admission arrangements before the appropriate consultation takes place

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Strategic Leader, Resources and Information regarding details of a proposed minor change to the admission arrangements for the 2006/2007 Academic Year, before the appropriate consultation takes place.

There are no proposed amendments to the admissions criteria for community and controlled schools.  However, the LEA must consult on any proposed changes to the co-ordinated admission arrangements, and a minor amendment to the scheme relating to secondary schools is proposed.

The change was with regard to the offer of a single place in respect of the co-ordinated scheme for secondary school places, which, in effect, was extended beyond Rotherham to include all South Yorkshire for the admission year 2005/06.  The recently published Education (Co-ordinating of Admission Arrangements) (Secondary Schools) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 now confirm this action. 

There is now the opportunity to extend this to Rotherham’s other bordering LEAs – Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and it is proposed that the scheme is amended to accommodate this.

It was noted that all Rotherham Governing Bodies will have an opportunity to consider admission arrangements as part of the consultation undertaken during the Autumn Term 2004.

Updated details will be collated by the LEA before a period of consultation takes place, up to 1^st March 2005, via the Authority’s website.

Resolved:-  That the annual consultation on admission arrangements takes place, with the proposal to extend the co-ordinated scheme for secondary school places, as outlined.

- to nominate a representative onto the above Organisation

Consideration was given to correspondence from Yorkshire and Humber Association of Local Authorities to inform of three vacancies for members to the Arts Council England – Yorkshire Regional Council.

The vacancies are one for each of the North, South and West sub-regions.

Details of the Terms of Reference and person specification were outlined in the report.

Resolved:-  That, subject to agreement by the Leader, Councillor Boyes be the Authority’s representative on this Organisation.

- to seek approval to suspend Standing Order 44 to allow work to be carried out

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

- to advise of the work being undertaken by Consultants appointed by Sport England

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Finance Officer outlining the work being undertaken by Consultants appointed by Sport England.

Sport Englandhave appointed consultants Knight, Kavanagh and Page to undertake a review of the County Sports Partnership Programme.

Rotherham is the host Authority for the County Sports Partnership Programme which was established in July 2000.

This programme provides development opportunities for young people across South Yorkshire, to progress in sports in which they excel.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the contents noted.

(2)  That a progress report on the County Sports Partnership regarding work undertaken and outcomes achieved be submitted to a future meeting.

- to consider the draft moving and handling policy for schools

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Leader Inclusion which gave details of a draft moving and handling policy for schools, in order to improve their awareness of strategies and appropriate techniques to employ when moving pupils.

The draft policy is produced for consultation with schools and should be considered alongside the recently approved accessibility strategy for schools.

The draft guidance outlined the relevant current legislation and Manual Handling Operations Regulations, the roles and responsibilities of staff, personnel and training issues, and drew attention to actions to be taken in emergency situations or accident /injury.

Resolved:-  That the report be received and the draft policy circulated to schools for consultation.

- to describe the work of the School Nurse/Health Education Liaison Adviser

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Leader Inclusion on the work of the School Nurse/Health Education Liaison Adviser who has been working within the programme area for just over two years to enable pupils with medical needs to access their local community school.

The report illustrates the work of the member of staff seconded from the Health Authority for the second year running supporting schools and providing advice in relation to Moving and Handling Techniques.  Both posts continue to be funded from the Standards Fund, but in terms of forward planning, it was felt consideration should be given to supporting these from more permanent arrangements.

The report outlined the role covered by the members of staff concerned, the nature of their work, their involvement in schools and the type of training undertaken.

It was recognised that Rotherham was ahead of other Local Authorities in providing this service, which was valued by all schools concerned.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)  That the important role of the School Nurse/Health Education Liaison Adviser be noted and that work to pursue future funding of the posts continue through the work of the Children and Young People’s Development Team.